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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Canal Point, Florida » Sugarcane Field Station » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #297497
Title: Sugarcane Genotype Performance in Three Environments (Based on Crop Cycle) at Mardan, Pakistan

Author
item TAHIR, MOHAMMAD - Sugar Crops Research Institute
item KHALIL, IFTIKHAR - University Of Agriculture - Pakistan
item McCord, Per
item Glaz, Barry

Submitted to: American Journal of Experimental Agriculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/28/2013
Publication Date: 12/16/2013
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/58444
Citation: Tahir, M., Khalil, I.H., Mccord, P.H., Glaz, B.S. 2014. Sugarcane Genotype Performance in Three Environments (Based on Crop Cycle) at Mardan, Pakistan. American Journal of Experimental Agriculture. 4(3):362-375.

Interpretive Summary: Sugarcane breeders are often faced with the problem of differential response of promising cultivars across different environments in evaluation stages of selection. The present study was carried out at Sugar Crops Research Institute (SCRI), Mardan, Pakistan, to evaluate performance of 28 sugarcane genotypes in 2 plants and one ratoon crop during 2010-13. Statistical analysis of the data showed varied performance of the genotypes in the three environments and between plant and ratoon crops. However, applying stability analysis procedure, 5 genotypes were found stable for cane yield. These genotypes could be further advanced to final evaluation trials. The results indicated that this procedure could be used by the sugarcane breeders as a regular feature of cultivar development trials at SCRI, Mardan, Pakistan, which in turn could speed up the varietal development process.

Technical Abstract: Sugarcane breeders often face significant genotype x environment interactions in their trials grown under multiple environments. Hence, genotypes need to be tested for their stability across different environments keeping in view the significant interactions. An experiment comprising 28 sugarcane genotypes (including 2 checks) was planted in two plant and one ratoon crops during 2010 to 2013 in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Data were recorded on cane, yield, and quality characters. Analyses of variance showed significant mean squares for crops, genotypes, and their interactions. The linear contrasts of two plant crops were found non-significant for tillering, vigor rate, stalk diameter, Brix, Pol, recovery, and cane yield. However, the contrast for plant crops versus ratoon was non-significant for stalk diameter only. Shukla’s stability variances and yield stability indices (Ysi) showed that no single genotype was stable for all characters. However, genotypes MS-2003-CP-209, MS-2003-CP-275, CoJ-76, MS-2003-CR2-131, and MS-2003-CR5-245 were stable for cane yield. The results of the study indicate the importance of genotype x environment interaction and stability in the ongoing varietal development program.